Clerigos Church and Tower — Attraction in Porto

The heart of Porto, Portugal, is a testament to divine devotion and architectural mastery—the Igreja dos Clérigos. Known in English as the Church of the Clergymen, this Roman Catholic sanctuary, cloaked in the grandeur of Baroque design, has been a spiritual haven since the 18th century. Today, it is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, a beacon calling both the faithful and the aesthetically inclined. The Igreja dos Clérigos soars above the cityscape, it's imposing 75-meter tower offering an alluring visual anchor visible from numerous vantage points in Porto and beyond. This beacon, an architectural feat of its time, continues to draw countless onlookers and pilgrims, beckoning them toward its historic embrace. The inception of the Igreja dos Clérigos dates back to 1732, conceived under the creative vision of Nicolau Nasoni—an Italian architect who honed his skills in Rome. Nasoni's architectural imprint graces several other revered edifices in Porto, including the Palacio da Bolsa and the Hospital de Santo António. The construction of this hallowed space concluded in 1750, marking the city's landscape with its timeless silhouette. The Brotherhood of Clerics commissioned the church, a religious order dedicated to supporting indigent clergy members and their kin. Their mandate extended beyond financial assistance—they also nurtured young aspirants on their spiritual journey toward priesthood. Today, the Brotherhood continues its mission, safeguarding the heritage of the Igreja dos Clérigos and ensuring its legacy endures. As an ideal specimen of the Baroque style—prevalent in Europe during the 18th century—the Igreja dos Clérigos exudes an air of sublime elegance. Baroque architecture, known for its ornate detailing and dramatic interplay of light and shadow, comes alive in this church. Its exterior fascinates with intricate sculptures carved with divine precision, while the interior bedazzles with various paintings and golden accents. The Igreja dos Clérigos, a beacon of faith and architectural brilliance stands testament to Porto's rich cultural heritage. Its allure extends beyond its religious significance, captivating all who see its majestic structure. Whether a seeker of divine intervention or an admirer of historical artistry, this iconic landmark is a treasure trove waiting to...

To the person who said it’s not as claustrophobic as other towers to climb, I can only assume you either are a UK size 0, or just aren’t fully aware of your surroundings. I’ve climbed plenty of Scottish castles and I found this worse personally, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t ultimately enjoy it when I reached the top, and I even got (obviously by paying for it) a fun green screen edited picture of me falling off of it (let’s assume it was a greenscreen shot anyway…) The church is beautiful too, gorgeous pink marble (I think?) lining some of the walls and ceiling. I didn’t realise until the end of the tower and museum part that you can go into the church by itself without having to climb the tower. It was only €5 anyway for a ticket which I thought was good value, and there was lots of stuff as part of the museum aspect about the brotherhood etc. Can also confirm that I have never seen so many Jesus’ all in one place before. I also appreciated they wanted to compare the height of this tower with the Chrysler Building (and others). Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area, but just be aware there isn’t any lift up to the top...

Go early (seriously) and try to avoid the ridiculous crowds in the staircases and on the terraces. I am not afraid of heights, but I am aware of the kind of crowds for which these buildings were first built. While I trust that Portuguese authorities have checked for structural integrity, I was honestly a bit nervous on the upper terrace as more and more people queued into the space and a few clueless tourists held everyone up with their relentless Instagramming moments every few inches. It was more crowded per m^2 than I've ever witnessed at say The Empire State building. The tower affords a beautiful view of the broader territory and the history of the architect here is fascinating ( painted some art for and was inspired by the pillar in Siena, Italy) (also did some art for the Knights in Malta). The museum and church are both beautiful, too. But I'd radically throttle the number of people allowed up/down at any point and I'd police those who hold up the rest of everyone to extents that are highly unsafe and inconsiderate. Fwiw, the climb itself really isn't bad at all esp if you've been walking up and down...